Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of HLA-DRB1*1101-06

Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) has been developed as a method for detecting the presence of mutations in a segment of DNA. We applied it to the subtyping of the DR11 group of alleles. The SSCP patterns of DRB1-DR52 group-specific products were defined in cell lines representing the DRB1*1101-06 alleles, using non-denaturing acrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. Only one set of gel electrophoresis conditions was able to discriminate the DR11 alleles tested. The protocol was validated in an analysis of 105 DR11-positive individuals previously typed by oligonucleotides probing. The study demonstrates the suitability of the SSCP technique to define the DRB1*1101-06 alleles, the technique being particularly valuable in confirming and extending the oligotyping of DRB1-DR52 heterozygous samples.